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DOD seeks ideas on new homeland security technologies

By William Jackson

May 03, 2004

The Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology is seeking proposals for innovative homeland security tools that are ready for the marketplace.

The DOD-funded center, administered by the San Diego University Foundation, works to speed commercialization of security technology for government use. The program typically provides business assistance rather than funding to companies and inventors, although some R&D funding is available.

Today's solicitation is the tenth since the program was established in July 2001 and the first this year. Since its inception, the center has provided $9 million in services to 136 applicants from 93 companies, and government and university research labs.

The center identified four chief areas of interest:

Physical defenses for DOD personnel and first responders

Port and border security technologies ready or nearly ready for government field tests

Maritime and land logistics security applications for managing passengers, cargo and other parts of the transportation infrastructure

Protective smart-materials technologies for DOD.

The deadline for applications is June 7. Additional information about the solicitation and instructions for applying are posted at www.ccatsandiego.org.